Supervisor, Urban Farm - 2024-54-01

Job Summary

Archway Urban Farm is a not-for-profit teaching farm. This is a leadership position at Archway Urban Farm. The Supervisor, Urban Farm, oversees and supervises staff, volunteers, and the overall crop production to ensure the Urban Farm has adequate volume and variety of crops for weekly sales and other needs. A wide variety of crops are grown in field conditions, unheated greenhouse settings, and in self-contained/environmentally controlled Ag-Tech growing containers. The work varies from week to week and will be physically demanding. A combination of walking, bending, standing for long periods of time, lifting up to 50 lbs, and repetitive activities will be required. This role benefits from attention to detail and being organized, methodical, and precise in the day-to-day tasks, observations, and communications. The Supervisor will be key to managing farm operations including budgeting, financial management, and overseeing staff schedules and activities, including those of interested volunteers. The Supervisor will oversee Farm Market staff representing the Urban Farm at Farm Markets and other events. The Supervisor will also oversee farm staff in providing educational workshops to the Community.

Your Role:

Archway’s Supervisor with the Urban Farm Program contributes by:

• Providing support, leadership, direction, and supervision to all Urban Farm staff (Crop Assistant, Farm Assistants, Marketing Assistant, Education Assistant, volunteers) in their daily tasks and weekly activities, including coaching, skill development/training, performance, and attendance management.
• Delegating as appropriate to ensure adequate help and support for overall crop production and ensuring a safe working environment.
• Managing and following the hiring process for all new hires, including volunteers and practicum students.
• Conducting regularly scheduled meetings with staff to provide ongoing support and problem resolution.
• Directing activities for crop production, including but not limited to: Crop management, seeding, bed preparation, compost production, transplanting, watering, weeding, harvesting, and preparing produce for market.
• Developing and monitoring seeding schedules (e.g. monthly lettuce starts, weekly microgreens, and other crop starts).
• Managing overall crop rotations over full-term of the growing season.
• Adequately monitoring Greenhouse and Ag-Tech units with respect to environmental conditions.
• Overseeing the delivery of Urban Farm activities including community education events, family-friendly events, on-site tours, on-site workshops, produce sales at the market, overall crop production, and other garden related activities.
• Ensuring information on the website about Urban Farm produce sales is accurate and up to date.
• Liaising with Marketing and Communications to develop public relations or promotional marketing materials for the program.

This position is a great fit for someone who has crop management experience, has an excellent working knowledge of growing food crops, has strong coaching and supervisory skills, and can manage a program budget efficiently.

Our Offer

• Wage: $26.50 per hour
• A permanent, part-time position at 30 hours per week, availability Mondays to Saturdays, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Benefits include: Three weeks pro-rated vacation in your first year; four weeks in your second year.A great benefits plan including extended health and dental; you choose your plan.Employee and Family Assistance Program that includes online access to wellness resources.Great in-house training opportunities.

Getting an Interview–you will be considered if you have:

• A diploma or degree in Horticulture, Biology, Agriculture Science, Agriculture Business, Crop Science, or a related discipline, OR a combination of education and experience.
• Experience in Farm Crop Management.
• Experience in supervision.

The Job Requires you to have::

• Excellent working knowledge of growing food crops.
• Knowledge of local food security issues.
• Knowledge and understanding of food safety and safe working procedures.
• Budgeting skills; able to manage a budget efficiently.
• Strong teamwork, coaching, supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to conduct physical labour related to garden maintenance and crop production, which will include periods of constant motion including walking, repetitive tasks, lifting, and long periods of standing.
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs (e.g. tubs, crates, tables, tent).
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends at times.
• Ability for direct, in-person contact with on-site staff and clients; adherence to health and safety protocols is required.
• Ability to work in a high-pace environment with demanding deadlines.
• Access to a reliable, personal vehicle with business insurance, and ability to drive to and from locations.
• Up-to-date Tetanus vaccine is strongly recommended.
• A valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and satisfactory driver’s record.
• Valid First Aid certification.
• Food Safe and/or Market Safe certification.
• A satisfactory fitness assessment is a condition of employment.
• A satisfactory Criminal Records Check is a condition of employment.